Peter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.
Bulgari Flag Ring Goes For $319K at Reagan Auction
The ring, which was only expected to sell for $8,000, was the top lot at the Christie’s New York auction of The Private Collection of President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan.

New York--Very appropriately, a Bulgari ring with an American flag motif finished as the top lot in an auction featured during Christie’s New York’s “Americana Week” series.
The ring, set with square-cut sapphires, rubies and diamonds laid out in the shape of an American flag, was only expected to sell for up to $8,000, but blew away the pre-sale estimate when it garnered $319,500.
The ring was part of the live sale of The Private Collection of President and Mrs. Ronald Reagan held Wednesday and Thursday.
The top lot of the jewelry portion of the live sale was predicted to be a Van Cleef & Arpels suite--a diamond and gold lion pendant-brooch necklace and matching ear clips that the First Lady wore on a state visit to the U.K. in 1988. Those went for $56,250 and $21,250, respectively.
Meanwhile, an 18-karat gold, platinum and diamond Bulgari bracelet, worn by Nancy Reagan at state dinners, and a four-strand cultured pearl necklace with a bezel-set oval onyx cabochon and diamonds in the center both garnered $40,000.
A set of Van Cleef & Arpels rings--two featuring calibré-cut sapphires and one solid 18-karat gold--sold for $16,250.
Christie’s sales of the Reagan’s possessions also encompassed furniture, decorative works of art, books, memorabilia, paintings, drawings and prints from their home in Los Angeles, with total sales between the two days realizing more than $5.7 million.
The auction also has an online component, which has 261 lots including items they used to entertain, photographs and books, as well as more jewelry. That runs through Sept. 28.
Proceeds from the sales benefit The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, a nonprofit, non-partisan organization created by Reagan that maintains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the Reagan Center for Public Affairs, the Walter and Leonore Annenberg Presidential Learning Center and its Discovery Center, and the Air Force One Pavilion.
The Latest

The retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.

The Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.


The company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.

The organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.

The first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.

The catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.

The company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.

An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.

The jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.

Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.

Designer Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.

She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.

Omar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.

The New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.

Lilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.

The organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.

The winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.

As summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.

Moshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.

Xavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.

The addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.

The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.